Ohio Quilters: Sue Spargo

Folk Art Quilts are a unique form of art quilts, and no one does it better than Sue Spargo. I was introduced to her style of quilting at NEORQC two years ago while cruising the classes to see what was being offered and what other folks were making. Sue was there, and I fell in love with her designs, wools, trims and all the special “findings” she uses to finish one of her projects.

Sue’s website, http://www.suespargo.com/ is filled with all sorts of interesting and beautiful designs. Born in Zambia and trained as a nurse, she worked her way to the United States and Uniontown, Ohio, through South Africa and England, bringing with her a rich background evident in all of her designs and work. Many of her projects incorporate hand dyed wools done by her sister who lives in the Pacific Northwest. Talent runs in the family.

I took one of Sue’s courses entitled Ginger Grove last year. The course had my name in it, so it had to be good. I wasn’t disappointed. It was filled with embellishments, which is my favorite thing to do. It also afforded me the opportunity to do another one of my favorite pastimes, shopping for quilting stuff. You know, stuff that I “need”. But mostly I enjoyed being in class with Sue, who not only teaches, but inspires.

It was a big project, and I will be working on it for several years to come. But it allows me to study her technique in designing what appears on the surface to be simple primitives, but are actually well planned, well thought out, complicated works of art, confirming her reputation. Making something look simple is often times the most complicated thing to do. My rule with any project that is difficult, if it was easy, everyone would be doing it.

Sue’s website describes her three areas of interest: Designs, Workshops, and Books and Patterns. Her talent takes her all over the country giving lectures and classes, often times scheduled years in advanced. Her patterns and kits sell all over the country. Her retail operation is unique to her and her materials, patterns and style, including notions, fabric and jewelry…and she is located right here in Ohio.

So if sometime in your quilting pursuits you have the opportunity to take a class from Sue Spargo, or sit in one of her lectures, or even come across her patterns and unique materials, SIGN UP. You won’t regret it.